A 30-year-old Hutchinson man who was convicted for having a firearm when he was in court in a domestic case back in March of 2010 and served 12-months in the county jail for contempt was back in court Thursday. And once again the charges against Roberto Rincon involves weapons, but also drugs.
He was arrested on a warrant Wednesday for being in possession of a firearm, in this case a fully automatic machine gun according to Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell. Apparently, he was caught with the weapon back on March 10.
But during a hearing in a protection from abuse hearing, Judge Joe McCarville learned he had more weapons and ordered him to turn those weapons over to the Reno County Sheriff’s Department by 10 a-m, Wednesday. He failed to do so according to Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton, which led to a search warrant being issued and the guns seized.
Law Enforcement apparently did a traffic stop at 5th & Van Buren where they arrested him on the warrant, then search his vehicle, as well as his home at 1612 West 4th, Apt G. During the pat down of Rincon, they found a black 380-caliber semi-automatic handgun on his person. He was then arrested and his vehicle taken to the law enforcement center to search for more weapons. They then opened the trunk and discovered items suspected as being associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Another search warrant was served Wednesday evening leading to the meth charges. That included hundreds of ephedrine pills, and a number of containers of anhydrous ammonia. One detective told us there were multiple meth labs inside the trunk of the vehicle.
A Glock 10 mm semi-automatic handgun, a black in color assault rifle, and a balistic vest were recovered from both the front rear passenger compartment areas of the vehicle. Charges related to these weapons will be presented to the U-S Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
He was charged manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of pseudo-effedrine, possession of lithium, drug paraphernalia all with intent to manufacture, criminal possession of weapon, and criminal use of a weapon, but again the weapon charges could go federal.
Stanton told us that having a firearm while having a protection from abuse order filed against you is a violation of federal law. In fact he told us he used federal statutes to obtain the search warrant for weapons on Wednesday.
His bond was is now set at 178-thousand dollars, mostly from the charges associated with the meth lab and he should be back in court next Wednesday for a status hearing.
As you may recall, Rincon caused a stir when he became upset in court in front of Judge Tim Chambers and was found in contempt of court. He was in the process of being taken into custody, and allegedly had two guns on him, both loaded, with one allegedly being cocked and ready to fire.
He served 12-months and was released from the county jail on June 28 of last year.
The judge was hearing a paternity case between Roberto S. Rincon of 1612 W. 4th, Apt G, Hutchinson and his wife.
Present in the courtroom was Judge Chambers, court stenographer Susan Carden, the wife, her attorney, 2 citizens unrelated to the case and Rincon.
Rincon started getting agitated during the proceeding and Judge Chambers alerted law enforcement and 6-officers from the Sheriff’s department responded. Apparently, deputy, Troy Selby, Detective Sheldon Stewart and Jail Captain Scott Powell were attempting to get cuffs on him when they felt a gun. That one was apparently in the black coat he was wearing. They then discovered another gun in a holster which was around the waist of Rincon. Both were loaded according to the sheriff. At least one of the guns was cocked and ready to fire.
Rincon in addition to being found in contempt of court, now faces 2-counts of criminal use of firearm.